Abstract
Celiac disease is probably the most frequent autoimmune disease, worldwide its incidence being estimated to be 1 in 200-300 of the population. In our country, this disease is extremely underdiagnosed.
Besides afflicting the digestive tract, it is accompanied by a number of complications that often appear even after years of existence of the disease. The most deleterious complication is the increased occurrence of malignant tumors, foremost lymphomas.
In a 14-year-old boy, two months after diagnosis of celiac disease, there has been found a non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the intestine. Investigation of the whole family revealed celiac disease in his elder brother.
Early diagnostics of celiac disease and administration of a consistent gluten-free diet can prevent the development of serious complications of this disease in the organs, as well as lower the risk of developing malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.The gluten-free diet should be observed by the patient life-long.